Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder Says Center Onyeka Okongwu is Out "For the Foreseeable Future"

Okongwu injured his toe right before the All-Star Break

Before the All-Star Break, Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu injured his big left toe in a game against the Chicago Bulls and he was out for the next game against the Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks provided this update after his initial injury: 

"Following an X-ray last night at State Farm Arena and an MRI today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, Okongwu has been diagnosed with a left big toe sprain. He will be listed as out for tomorrow’s game at Charlotte and will be re-evaluated in seven-to-10 days."

Today at practice Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said that Okongwu would be out for the foreseeable future: 

"I don't want to speak out of turn as far as a timeline goes, but he's not going to be available for the foreseeable future."

At practice today, Hawks coach Quin Snyder said that they would not have Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain) for the foreseeable future.

He said they will get Clint Capela (left adductor strain) back but since he’s missed a few weeks he’ll likely be on a mins restriction.

— Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) February 22, 2024

That is obviously big news for the Hawks. Since taking over as the starting center with Clint Capela sidelined with an injury, Okongwu has played really well and you could make the argument that he could be the starting center for the rest of the season before this news today. The Hawks started Bruno Fernando in the game against Charlotte with Okongwu and Capela both out. Fernando could start tomorrow's game and Capela could come off the bench, but that is just speculation. 

The Hawks have had a hard time getting healthy this year. There have not been many games where there top eight players of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, Okongwu, Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and De'Andre Hunter have been healthy. Atlanta has plenty of issues, but not having these guys together for more games has hindered this team this season. 

Keep an eye out for an official update on Okongwu from the Hawks. 

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